Friday, December 6, 2024
Metsä Group has announced its commitment to Finland’s Circular Economy Green Deal, a voluntary national initiative spearheaded by the Finnish Ministry of the Environment and the Ministry of Employment and the Economy. The programme, which sets targets for 2035, seeks to accelerate the transition towards a low-carbon circular economy.
As part of its commitment, Metsä Group has pledged to invest in research and development focused on further processing its industrial side streams. The group aims to commercialise three significant products or solutions derived from these side streams by 2035. These solutions may be developed either by Metsä Group or its partners, provided that the company plays a crucial role in the development process. Commercialisation is defined as achieving annual sales of at least hundreds of tonnes or securing equivalent commercial agreements.
In addition, Metsä Group plans to reduce energy production from the combustion of side streams, targeting a reduction of 1,000 gigawatt hours in annual bioenergy production by 2035 compared to 2025 levels. This transition involves improving energy efficiency and exploring non-combustion-based solutions, such as electrification. By doing so, the company aims to conserve valuable wood raw materials for higher-value applications.
The Circular Economy Green Deal is a pioneering initiative designed to fast-track Finland’s circular economy efforts. In September 2024, seven commitments were announced, followed by six more in December, including Metsä Group’s pledge. The initiative is underpinned by scientific research conducted by leading Finnish institutions, including the Finnish Environment Institute, VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, Natural Resources Institute Finland, and the Geological Survey of Finland. These commitments undergo rigorous evaluation by a panel of experts before adoption.
“Commitment to the Circular Economy Green Deal accelerates our research and development activities related to the further processing of our industrial side streams and can help us find new partners,” said Katariina Kemppainen, SVP, Group R&D at Metsä Group.
One of the criteria for the new products is that they must not have been previously manufactured from Metsä Group’s side streams. Potential streams include biogenic carbon dioxide, lignin, bark, sawdust, ash, dregs, and sludge. These materials could be transformed into chemicals or materials for use in construction, paints and coatings, agriculture, cosmetics, or other industries.
“Utilising our side streams in new products together with partners is at the core of our circular economy work. Commercialisation makes the benefits for nature and society tangible,” summarised Ilkka Hämälä, President and CEO of Metsä Group.
Metsä Group is actively pursuing research and development in collaboration with academic institutions, startups, and larger companies. Its innovation arm, Metsä Spring, supports startups and innovative projects exploring new uses for northern wood. This commitment underscores the group’s dedication to sustainable development and a thriving circular economy.
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